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10 Dec 2016 3:22:12am

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I think this will disadvantage some people and employers will play safe rather than try new talent. However I understand the abuses and I would think it would be fair to allow interns to work for non-profit orgs or to supply social justice discounted services for example a hairdresser may provide free or discounted services for pensioners or hardship clients by using an intern. Also many enterprises are not profitable or profit focussed while not strictly speaking nonprofit. like a small press, theatre partnership etc and this kind of regulation just plays into the hands of big dominant organisations, To account for small social/cultural enterprises, there should be some formula for deciding if the use of interns is fair - not based on age of intern - Because that also locks out older people who'v delayed their career move eg due to babies etc) On the other side the willingness of interns to work for no pay also discriminates against those who are not independently wealthy. But you cant ever level the field on that count. What is interesting though if interns are so willing to work for nothing it indicates an economy of trading in non-cash value is alive and well as long as people are motivated by a passion or desire to gain or share experience. Forcing cash value on everything is corrupting to the soul and will squeeze out all grey areas wherein lies the most dynamic kinds of exchange. Personally I find it more stressful to be paid - i suffer acute anxiety about my productivity - than when I volunteer, leading me to be more productive, efficient and committed as a volunteer. But then my positioning in the nonprofit sector colours my response.

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